College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music

About This Program

Earn your bachelor's in Music Technology and master the tools shaping today’s music industry! Specialize in audio recording, music production or performance while gaining hands-on experience in recording, engineering and digital music creation. Whether you are producing, performing or composing, this program equips you with the skills to thrive in studios, live events, film, TV and beyond.. Read more...

Contact Information

• Sebastian Birch | sbirch@kent.edu |
  330-244-3359
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Stark Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The B.S. degree in Music Technology is approved by the National Association of Schools of Music.

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Admission to this major is selective. To be admitted to the Music Technology major, students audition their primary instrument and/or with a portfolio and complete theory and keyboard placement tests.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Major ensemble (eight separate semesters): All music technology majors must enroll in an ensemble appropriate to their major performance area. Two credit hours must be taken in major ensemble. Major ensemble credit can be earned for MUS 25011 and MUS 25225, as approved by faculty. Students may choose to complete the remaining 6 credit hours with MUS 35213, or 4 credit hours with MUS 35213 or major ensemble and 2 credit hours with ensemble electives (such as MUS 25311 and MUS 45231 for students whose instrument is guitar) as approved by faculty.

³

Applied studio musicianship (four semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must meet the Sophomore Proficiency requirement after two semesters and the Senior Proficiency requirement for graduation.

⁴

Students register for MUS 36913 for all other popular music instruments not listed.

⁵

Students who have completed the Applied Studio Musicianship and Applied Music requirement on piano may replace requirement with Music (MUS) electives.

Audio Recording Concentration Requirements

¹

Applied studio musicianship (four semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must pass the Sophomore Proficiency Threshold after two semesters and the Senior Proficiency Threshold for graduation.

²

Students who choose to complete more than one concentration may apply Applied Studio Musicianship hours toward all concentrations.

Music Production Concentration Requirements

¹

Applied studio musicianship (four semesters and 8 credit hours): Students must pass the Sophomore Proficiency Threshold after two semesters and the Senior Proficiency Threshold for graduation.

²

Students who choose to complete more than one concentration may apply Applied Studio Musicianship hours toward all concentrations.

Performance Concentration Requirements

¹

Students must take four semesters of 4 credit hours of Applied Studio Musicianship courses. Students must meet the Senior ASM Proficiency Threshold and complete one full senior recital and register for applied music courses during a degree recital semester.

²

Students who choose to complete more than one concentration may apply Applied Studio Musicianship hours toward all concentrations.

³

Integrated study and special topic courses may be applied toward concentration electives with approval.

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum C grade required in all music (MUS) courses
• Minimum eight semesters of major ensemble courses and six semesters of applied studio musicianship and applied music courses. Applied music courses are available during the summer on selected instruments. Composition may also be taken during the summer.
• Attendance at minimum 84 concerts or recitals for students who begin the program as first-semester freshmen (students who transferred from a non-music program or university must attend an average of 10 music concerts or recitals for semesters of full-time enrollment)
• Students pursuing the Audio Recording and Music Production concentration simultaneously can take the Audio Recording and Music Production III, IV, V, and VI classes concurrently.

Roadmaps

Audio Recording Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Music Production Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Performance Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Function as competent and versatile professional studio musicians who perform in diverse commercial music venues.
2. Compose and arrange music.
3. Create appropriate sound for visual media.
4. Create music productions of professional quality.
5. Produce professional audio recordings, both live and in studio, from start to finish.

Policies

Dual Degree/Double Major

Physical Activity and ROTC Courses

No more than 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses or the first 16 credit hours of ROTC courses—Aerospace Studies (ASTU) and Military Studies (MSCI)—may apply to the 120 credit hours required for graduation.

Veterans who have completed a minimum of one year of active duty may receive PWS credit for military basic training according to branch of service, as follows:

• Army and Marine Corps, 3 credit hours;
• Navy and Coast Guard, 2 credit hours;
• Air Force, 1 credit hour.

Requirement Audit

Upon completion of 60 credit hours, each student is required to contact the College of the Arts Advising office to obtain a current evaluation of progress toward completion of the student’s chosen degree program. Requirement evaluations are not a substitute for meeting with a faculty advisor. Students may access GPS (Graduation Planning System) audit through their FlashLine account which provides them with information about their academic progress. Questions about GPS audits are answered in the College of the Arts Advising office.

School of Music Undergraduate Professional Standards

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Music Technology prepares students as musicians within a broad field of constantly changing technology. Students study in courses that develop expertise in music computer technology for application in the recording industry, audio-engineering and music production.

The development of music technology has had an enormous impact on the music industry. There are many career opportunities for talented musicians in music technology. Skilled musicians can apply formal training to recording careers, studio performance, arranging or producing and live performances. Opportunities are also available in non-traditional, contemporary popular music venues, the movie industry, television, multi-media events and music for advertising, as well as traditional performing arts venues. The growth of music technology has made knowledge and experience in this area a necessity for all students preparing for a career in any area of the music industry. To compete effectively in the contemporary music world, one must possess a strong traditional music background, plus the technical expertise required to make the most of a rapidly changing and developing technology.

The Music Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Audio Recording concentration provides students the opportunity to learn advanced audio recording techniques.
• The Music Production concentration provides students the opportunity to learn how to use technology to realize creative work such as original music, arranging and production.
• The Performance concentration provides students who want to perform the necessary technological tools to succeed in the modern music industry.